The most well-known pattern of capillaroscopic abnormality is the ‘systemic sclerosis-pattern’, characterised by dilated capillary loops, areas of avascularity, haemorrhages and distortion of the normal nailfold architecture. Cutolo and colleagues have described three patterns within this spectrum: ‘early’, ‘active’ and ‘late’, on the basis of numbers of giant capillaries and of microhaemorrhages, the extent of capillary loss and of disorganisation of the capillary architecture, and the presence of angiogenesis.¹ Systemic sclerosis-pattern abnormalities are also seen in patients with inflammatory muscle disease, especially in those with dermatomyositis, when areas of angiogenesis (’bushy’ or ‘ramified’ capillaries), are very commonly seen.

Abnormalities have also been described in other diseases, but these are less specific. This lecture will illustrate the different patterns of abnormality with a focus on systemic sclerosis and inflammatory muscle disease. Capillaroscopic patterns which have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and childhood connective tissue diseases will also be described.

References:

1. Cutolo M, Sulli A, Smith V. How to perform and interpret capillaroscopy. Best Practice Res Clin Rheumatol 2013; 27:237–48.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared

DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.7842